Shoulder pads and other protective gear for upper body protection

ABSTRACT

An article of protective gear (e.g., shoulder pads) for protecting an upper body of a wearer (e.g., a hockey, lacrosse, football, or other contact-sport player), in which the article of protective gear is configured to protect a thorax of the wearer and arms of the wearer against impacts (e.g., with other players, boards, pucks, balls, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, etc., which may be encountered during hockey, lacrosse, football or another contact sport), efficiently and conveniently, such as by integrating thorax (e.g., chest and shoulder) protection and arm protection into a unitary protective garment (e.g., which may be donned, doffed, and carried as a one-piece garment) while remaining lightweight and providing ventilation (e.g., for enhanced heat management, drying, etc.).

FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to protective athletic equipment and,more particularly, to shoulder pads and other protective gear for upperbody protection of players playing contact sports such as hockey,lacrosse and football and other users.

BACKGROUND

Shoulder pads are worn by players of contact sports, such as hockey,lacrosse and football, for upper body protection. Typically, shoulderpads comprise front and back members for respectively protecting frontand back regions of a player's thorax and left and right shoulderprotectors for respectively protecting the player's left and rightshoulders.

However, existing shoulder pads typically leave players' arms mostlyunprotected. To remedy this, some players may wear a padded undergarmentincluding arm padding (e.g., elbow pads). However, this system isrelatively heavy, uncomfortable, heat retaining, and complexifiesdonning, doffing and carrying processes.

For these and other reasons, improvements in shoulder pads and otherarticles of protective gear for upper body protection would be welcomed.

SUMMARY

In accordance with various aspects of this disclosure, there is providedan article of protective gear (e.g., shoulder pads) for protecting anupper body of a wearer (e.g., a hockey, lacrosse, football, or othercontact-sport player), in which the article of protective gear isconfigured to protect a thorax of the wearer and arms of the weareragainst impacts (e.g., with other players, boards, pucks, balls, hockeysticks, lacrosse sticks, etc., which may be encountered during hockey,lacrosse, football or another contact sport), efficiently andconveniently, such as by integrating thorax (e.g., chest and shoulder)protection and arm protection into a unitary protective garment (e.g.,which may be donned, doffed, and carried as a one-piece garment) whileremaining lightweight and providing ventilation (e.g., for enhanced heatmanagement, drying, etc.).

For example, in accordance with an aspect of this disclosure, there isprovided an article of protective gear for protecting an upper body of awearer against impacts. The article of protective gear comprises: afront member configured to protect a front side of a thorax of thewearer; a back member configured to protect a back side of the thorax ofthe wearer; shoulder protectors configured to protect shoulders of thewearer; sleeves connected to the shoulder protectors, configured toreceive arms of the wearer, and comprising a plurality of arm protectorsconfigured to protect the arms of the wearer; and openings configured toleave at least part of a left side of the thorax of the wearer and atleast part of a right side of the thorax of the wearer uncovered by thearticle of protective gear.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, there is providedan article of protective gear for protecting an upper body of a weareragainst impacts. The article of protective gear comprises: a frontmember configured to protect a front side of a thorax of the wearer; aback member configured to protect a back side of the thorax of thewearer; shoulder protectors configured to protect shoulders of thewearer; and sleeves connected to the shoulder protectors, configured toreceive arms of the wearer, and comprising a plurality of arm protectorsconfigured to protect the arms of the wearer. The front member, the backmember, the shoulder protectors and the sleeves are donnable anddoffable all at once.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, there is provideda unitary article of protective gear for a wearer. The articlecomprises: a front member for protecting a front side of a thorax of thewearer; a back member for protecting a back side of the thorax of thewearer; a collar for protecting a sternal angle region of the wearer,the collar being affixed to the front member and to the back member;arch and shoulder protectors for protecting left and right trapeziusregions and left and right shoulders of the wearer; and left and rightsleeves for receiving left and right arms of the wearer, the sleevescomprising a plurality of arm protectors for protecting regions of theleft and right arms of the wearer. The sleeves connected to the arch andshoulder protectors, and are separate and spaced from the front memberand from the back member.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, there is provideda unitary article of protective gear for a wearer. The articlecomprises: a front member for protecting a front side of a thorax of thewearer; a back member for protecting a back side of the thorax of thewearer; a collar for protecting a sternal angle region of the wearer,the collar being affixed to the front member and to the back member;arch and shoulder protectors for protecting left and right trapeziusregions and left and right shoulders of the wearer; and left and rightsleeves for receiving left and right arms of the wearer, the sleevescomprising a plurality of arm protectors for protecting regions of theleft and right arms of the wearer. The sleeves and arch and shoulderprotectors define openings configured to uncover left and right armpitregions of the wearer.

In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, there is provideda unitary article of protective gear for a wearer. The articlecomprises: a front member for protecting a front side of a thorax of thewearer; a back member for protecting a back side of the thorax of thewearer; a collar for protecting a sternal angle region of the wearer,the collar being affixed to the front member and to the back member;arch and shoulder protectors for protecting left and right trapeziusregions and left and right shoulders of the wearer; and left and rightsleeves for receiving left and right arms of the wearer. The sleevescomprise a plurality of arm protectors for protecting regions of theleft and right arms of the wearer. The sleeves comprise a base whichsupports the arm protectors. The arm protectors comprise elbow caps forprotecting left and right elbows of the wearer. The elbow caps areaffixed to the base of the sleeves.

These and other aspects of this disclosure will now become apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art upon review of a description ofembodiments that follows in conjunction with accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description embodiments is provided below, by way of exampleonly, with reference to drawings annexed hereto, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are respective front and back views of an example of anarticle of protective gear for a wearer, the article being shoulder padsand the wearer being a player in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a front panel of a front member of theshoulder pads;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the front panel of the front memberof the shoulder pads;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a foam body of the front panel;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a front shield of the front member of theshoulder pads;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the front shield;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the front shield assembled with thefront panel;

FIG. 9 shows a back panel of a back member of the shoulder pads andportions of rib protectors affixed to the back panel;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the back panel of the back memberof the shoulder pads;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a foam body of the back panel;

FIG. 12 shows a back shield of the back member of the shoulder pads;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the back shield;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the back shield assembled with theback panel;

FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of a main body of the ribprotector;

FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of a collar of the shoulder pads;

FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional view of an arch and shoulder protectorof the shoulder pads;

FIG. 18 shows an elevation view of shoulder caps of the arch andshoulder protector;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of an arm padding of the shoulderpads;

FIG. 20 shows a connection between the arch and shoulder protector ofthe shoulder pads and a sleeve of the shoulder pads;

FIG. 21 shows an opening at an underside of the sleeve and a floatingpocket affixed to a base of the sleeve;

FIGS. 22 and 23 are cross-sectional views of the sleeve showing thefloating pocket affixed to the base of the sleeve without and with thearm protector inside the floating pocket;

FIG. 24 is a schematic view of another pocket affixed to the base of thesleeve;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve showing the pocket ofFIG. 24 affixed to the base of the sleeve with the arm protector insidethe pocket;

FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view of an elbow cap of the sleeve;

FIGS. 27 and 28 are elevation views of a padding insert of a forearmprotector of the sleeve;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve showing another pocketaffixed to the base of the sleeve with the padding insert inside thepocket;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of a cover of the forearm protector;

FIGS. 31 and 32 show an embodiment of the shoulder pads wherein the ribprotectors are detachably attachable to the back member;

FIGS. 33 to 36 show embodiments of the shoulder pads wherein the sleevesare detachably attachable to the arch and shoulder protectors;

FIG. 37 shows an embodiment of the shoulder pads wherein each sleevecomprises an upper portion and a lower portion that is detachablyattachable to the upper portion of the sleeve;

FIG. 38 shows a fabric comprising a synthetic yarn and a metallic ormetallic-coated yarn; and

FIGS. 39 and 40 are respective front and back views of regions of anupper body of the player.

The description and drawings are only for purposes of illustratingcertain embodiments and are an aid for understanding. They are notintended to be limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of an article of protective gear 10 forprotecting an upper body of a wearer in accordance with an embodiment.In this embodiment, the article of protective gear is shoulder pads andthe wearer is a player playing a contact sport (e.g., hockey, lacrosse,football, etc.). In this example, the player is a hockey player playinghockey (e.g., ice hockey) and thus the shoulder pads 10 are hockeyshoulder pads.

In this embodiment, the shoulder pads 10 protect a thorax 12 of theplayer and arms LA, RA of the player against impacts (e.g., with otherplayers, boards, pucks, hockey sticks, etc.) during hockey, efficientlyand conveniently, such as by integrating thorax (e.g., chest andshoulder) protection and arm protection into a unitary protectivegarment (e.g., which may be donned, doffed, and carried as a one-piecearticle) while remaining lightweight and providing ventilation (e.g.,for enhanced heat management, drying, etc.).

The shoulder pads 10 protect various regions of an upper body of theplayer. As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40 , the thorax 12 of the player has afront side FS, a back side BS, a left side LS and a right side RS. Thefront side FS of the thorax 12, which can also be referred to as a“chest” or “ventral” side, comprises left and right pectoral regionsLPR, RPR overlying left and right pectoral muscles of the player, asternum region SR overlying a sternum of the player, a manubrium regionMBR located at the top of the sternum region SR, and left and rightfront lower rib regions LFL, RFL overlying the sixth to tenth ribs ofthe player. The back side BS of the thorax 12, which can also bereferred to as a “dorsal” side, comprises a thoracic spinal region TSRoverlying thoracic vertebrae of the player, a sternal angle region SARoverlaying a sternal angle of the spine of the player, left and righttrapezius regions LTR, RTR overlying left and right trapezius muscles ofthe player, left and right latissimus dorsi regions LDR, RDR overlyingleft and right latissimus dorsi muscles of the player and left and rightback lower rib regions LBL, RBL overlying the sixth to twelfth ribs ofthe player.

The thorax 12 of the player further has a lateral direction and a medialdirection representing directions extending farther and closer from themidline of the thorax 12 of the player, respectively. The left and rightsides LS, RS of the thorax 12 respectively comprise left and rightlateral rib regions LLR, RLR overlying the lateral sides of the ribs ofthe player. The thorax 12 additionally comprises left and rightshoulders LSS, RSS of the player which join the left and right arms LA,RA of the player to the thorax 12. Each of the left and right shouldersLSS, RSS has a clavicle region CR, a scapular region BR, anacromioclavicular joint region ACR, and a deltoid region DR respectivelyoverlying a clavicle, a scapula, an acromioclavicular joint, and adeltoid muscle of that shoulder.

The thorax 12 of the player has a front-back (i.e., a dorso-ventral)axis FBA (which is perpendicular to the front and back views shown inFIG. 4A), a left-right (i.e., dextro-sinistral) axis LRA, and a vertical(i.e., cephalo-caudal) axis VA. A front-back direction, a left-rightdirection, and a top-bottom direction of the shoulder pads 10 arerespectively parallel to the front-back axis FBA, the left-right axisLRA, and the vertical axis VA of the thorax 12 of the player. Similarly,a lateral direction and a medial direction of the shoulder pads 10 arerespectively parallel to the lateral direction and the medial directionof the thorax 12 of the player.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 8 , in this embodiment, the shoulder pads 10comprise a front member for protecting the front side FS of the thorax.The front member 20 is configured to substantially overly the front sideFS of the thorax when the shoulder pads 10 are worn by the player. Thefront member 20 may have any suitable shape. For instance, in thisexample, the front member 20 comprises a panel 22 to cover the frontside FS of the thorax and a front shield 24 disposed over the panel 22to cover the sternum region SR of the thorax.

The panel 22 may comprises a liner 25 and a foam body 26 covering atleast part of (i.e., part of, a majority of, or an entirety of) theliner 25. In this example, the liner 25 may comprise a fabric, such as asynthetic fabric, such as LYCRA™, polyester, nylon, polyamide, elastane,etc., and any combination thereof. The foam body 26 may comprise one ormore layers of foam. For instance, in this embodiment, the foam body 26may comprise a plurality of layers 28 of foam laminated onto oneanother. More specifically, in this embodiment, the foam body comprisesthree layers 28 of foam laminated onto one another. In some embodiments,also, the foam body 26 may comprise layers of non-foam material. Forexample, in some embodiments, the foam body 26 may comprise one or morelayers 28 of foam, an inner layer 27 of non-expanded polymeric material(such as a polymeric sheet) laminated on an inner side of the one ormore layers 28 of foam, and an outer layer 29 of non-expanded polymericmaterial (such as a polymeric sheet) laminated on an outer side of theone or more layers 28 of foam. In this embodiment, the panel 22 mayfurther comprise an outer cover 52 covering the foam body 26 on an outerside and defining an outermost surface of the panel 22. The outer covermay comprise any suitable material. In this embodiment, the outer cover52 may comprise mesh and/or fabric. More specifically, in thisembodiment, the outer cover 52 may comprise VELCRO™ loops configured toallow attachment of VELCRO™ hooks. In this embodiment, the outer cover52 may span over at least part of the foam body 26. More specifically,in this embodiment, the outer cover 52 may span over at least a majorityof the foam body 26. More specifically, in this embodiment, the outercover 52 may span over an entirety of the foam body 26.

The front shield 24 may be configured to substantially cover the sternumregion SR of the player when the player wears the shoulder pads 10. Forinstance, in some embodiments, the front shield 24 may span an area ofat least 500 cm², in some embodiments of at least 700 cm², in someembodiments of at least 900 cm², and in some embodiments of even more(e.g., of at least 1000 cm²). The front shield 24 may have any suitableshape. For instance, in this embodiment, the front shield 24 may have anoverall diamond shape. The front shield 24 may also have a variablethickness T_(FS). For instance, in front shield 24 may comprise a firstset of portions 92 having a reduced thickness of no more than 10 mm, asecond set of portions 93 having a thickness of at least 12 mm, and athird set of portions 94 having a thickness of at least 15 mm. In thisembodiment, the second set of portions 92 may span a majority of asurface of the front shield, in some embodiments at least 60% of thesurface area of the front shield, in some embodiments at least 70% ofthe surface area of the front shield, and in some embodiments even more.

The front shield 24 may be affixed to the panel 22 on an outer side ofthe panel 22 in any suitable way. More specifically, in this embodiment,the front shield 24 may be stitched to the panel 22. In someembodiments, the front shield 24 may be glued, fused or otherwisefastened to the panel 22.

The front shield 24 may comprise one or more layers of expanded andnon-expanded polymers (e.g., TPU, PE, TPE, etc.). For instance, in thisembodiment, the front shield 24 may comprise at least two, three or fourlayers 54 of foam, and at least one layer 55 of non-expanded polymericmaterial. The non-expanded polymeric material may be any suitablepolymeric material, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU),polyethylene (PE), thermoplastic polyethylene (TPE), etc. The frontshield 24 may be manufactured in any suitable way. For instance, in thisembodiment, at least part of (i.e., part of, a majority of, or all of)the front shield 24 may be molded into shape in a mold.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 14 , in this embodiment, the shoulder pads 10comprise a back member 30 for protecting the back side BS of the thorax.The back member 30 is configured to substantially overly the back sideBS of the thorax when the shoulder pads 10 are worn by the player. Theback member 30 may have any suitable shape. For instance, in thisexample, the back member 30 comprises a panel 32 to cover the back sideBS and a back shield 34 disposed over the panel 32 to cover the thoracicspinal region TSR of the thorax.

The panel 32 may comprises a liner 35 and a foam body 36 covering atleast part of (i.e., part of, a majority of, or an entirety of) theliner 35. In this example, the liner 35 may comprise a fabric, such as asynthetic fabric, such as LYCRA™, polyester, nylon, polyamide, elastane,etc., and any combination thereof. The foam body 36 may comprise one ormore layers of foam. For instance, in this embodiment, the foam body 36may comprise a plurality of layers 38 of foam laminated onto oneanother. More specifically, in this embodiment, the foam body comprisesthree layers 38 of foam laminated onto one another. In some embodiments,also, the foam body 36 may comprise layers of non-foam material. Forexample, in some embodiments, the foam body 36 may comprise one or morelayers 38 of foam, an inner layer 37 of non-expanded polymeric material(such as a polymeric sheet) laminated on an inner side of the one ormore layers 38 of foam, and an outer layer 39 of non-expanded polymericmaterial (such as a polymeric sheet) laminated on an outer side of theone or more layers 38 of foam. In this embodiment, the panel 32 mayfurther comprise an outer cover 56 covering the foam body 36 on an outerside and defining an outermost surface of the panel 22. The outer covermay comprise any suitable material. In this embodiment, the outer cover56 may comprise mesh and/or fabric. More specifically, in thisembodiment, the outer cover 56 may comprise VELCRO™ loops configured toallow attachment of VELCRO™ hooks. In this embodiment, the outer cover56 may span over at least part of the foam body 36. More specifically,in this embodiment, the outer cover 56 may span over at least a majorityof the foam body 36. More specifically, in this embodiment, the outercover 56 may span over an entirety of the foam body 36.

The back shield 34 may be configured to substantially cover the thoracicspinal region TSR of the thorax of the player when the player wears theshoulder pads 10. For instance, in some embodiments, the back shield 34may span an area of at least 1000 cm², in some embodiments of at least1200 cm², in some embodiments of at least 1400 cm², and in someembodiments of even more (e.g., of at least 1500 cm²). The back shield34 may be larger than the front shield 24. For instance, in someembodiments, a ratio of a total surface area of the back shield 34 overa total surface area of the front shield 24 may be at least 1.1, in someembodiments at least 1.3, in some embodiments at least 1.5, and in someembodiments even more (e.g., at least 1.7). The back shield 34 may haveany suitable shape. For instance, in this embodiment, the back shield 34may have an overall diamond shape. The back shield 34 may also have avariable thickness IFs. For instance, in back shield 34 may comprise afirst set of portions 96 having a reduced thickness of no more than 10mm, a second set of portions 97 having a thickness of at least 12 mm,and a third set of portions 98 having a thickness of at least 15 mm. Inthis embodiment, the second set of portions 97 may span a majority of asurface of the back shield, in some embodiments at least 60% of thesurface area of the back shield, in some embodiments at least 70% of thesurface area of the back shield, and in some embodiments even more.

The back shield 34 may be affixed to the panel 32 on an outer side ofthe panel 32 in any suitable way. More specifically, in this embodiment,the back shield 34 may be stitched to the panel 32. In some embodiments,the back shield 34 may be glued, fused or otherwise fastened to thepanel 32.

The back shield 34 may comprise one or more layers of expanded andnon-expanded polymers (e.g., TPU, PE, TPE, etc.). For instance, in thisembodiment, the back shield 34 may comprise at least two, three or fourlayers 58 of foam, and at least one layer 59 of non-expanded polymericmaterial. The non-expanded polymeric material may be any suitablepolymeric material, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU),polyethylene (PE), thermoplastic polyethylene (TPE), etc. The backshield 34 may be manufactured in any suitable way. For instance, in thisembodiment, at least part of (i.e., part of, a majority of, or all of)the back shield 34 may be molded into shape in a mold.

In this example, the panels 22, 32 are continuous and integral with oneanother. In particular, the panels 22, 32 are connected to one anotherover the left and right trapezius regions LTR, RTR of the player. Insome embodiment, the panels 22, 32 may be distinct and separate from oneanother and may be connected to one another directly or indirectly overthe left and right trapezius regions LTR, RTR of the player.

In this embodiment, the shoulder pads 10 may comprise rib protectors 40for protecting front lower rib regions, back lower rib regions andlateral rib regions of the player. The rib protectors 40 comprise leftand right rib protectors which are configured to substantially overlythe front lower rib regions LFL, RFL, the back lower rib regions LTR,RTR and the lateral rib regions LLR, RLR of the player when the shoulderpads 10 are worn by the player.

The rib protectors 40 may further connect the panels 22, 32 to oneanother. In particular, the rib protectors 40 may be affixed to bottomportions 57 of the back panel 32 and back shield 34, e.g., by beingdisposed between or over the back panel 32 and the back shield 34 andstitched to the back panel 32 and the back shield 34.

As shown in FIG. 15 and with additional reference to FIGS. 2 and 9 ,each rib protector 40 may comprise a main body 41 configured tosubstantially overly respective ones of the front lower rib regions LFL,RFL, the back lower rib regions LTR, RTR and the lateral rib regionsLLR, RLR of the player when the shoulder pads 10 are worn by the player.The main body 41 may comprise a padding 42. The padding 42 may beconfigured to absorb and dissipate at least a majority of (i.e., amajority of or an entirety of) impacts on the main body 41. That is, thepadding 42 may be configured to absorb and dissipate more energy thanthe other components of the main body 41. The padding 42 may compriseone or more layers of molded foam material. For instance, in thisembodiment, the padding 42 may comprise at least two layers 43 of moldedfoam. The rib protectors 40 may also comprise one or more layers 44 offabric affixed to the padding 42 to support the padding 42. Forinstance, the layers 44 of fabric may be stitched to one another and mayform an envelope encasing the padding 42.

Each rib protector 40 may comprise a chest strap 46 affixed to the mainbody 51 (e.g., by being stitched, glued, fused or otherwise fastened)and detachably attachable to the front member 20. In this embodiment,the chest straps 46 are flexible and elastic. The chest straps 46 may bedetachably attachable via any suitable connection, such as hook-and-loopconnections. More specifically, each flexible chest strap 46 maycomprise a connector portion 47 which, in this example, may includeVELCRO™ hooks, and the front member 20 may comprise a correspondingconnector portion 48 which, in this example, may include VELCRO™ loops.

In this embodiment, the shoulder pads 10 comprise a collar 50 forprotecting the sternal angle region SAR of the player. The collar 50 isconfigured to substantially overly the sternal angle region SAR of theplayer when the shoulder pads 10 are worn by the player. As shown inFIG. 16 , the collar 50 may comprise a foam core 52. The foam core 52may comprise at least one layer 53 of foam. For instance, in thisembodiment, the foam core 52 may comprise at least two layers 53 ofpolyurethane (PU) foam.

The collar 50 may optionally comprise a liner 54 defining an externalsurface of the collar 50. More specifically, in this embodiment, theliner 54 may comprise fabric material and may be a fabric liner. Morespecifically, in this embodiment, the fabric material may be a syntheticfabric such as LYCRA™, polyester, elastane, polyamide, etc., and anycombination thereof. The collar 50 may be affixed to the front member20, to the back member 30 and to arch and shoulder protectors 60 of theshoulder pads 10, in any suitable way (e.g., by being stitched, glued,fused or otherwise fastened).

In this embodiment, the shoulder pads 10 may comprise arch and shoulderprotectors 60 for protecting the left and right trapezius regions LTR,RTR and the left and right shoulders LSS, RSS of the player. The archand shoulder protectors 60 comprise left and right arch and shoulderprotectors 60 which are configured to substantially overly the left andright trapezius regions LTR, RTR and the left and right shoulders LSS,RSS of the player when the shoulder pads 10 are worn by the player. Thearch and shoulder protectors 60 (hereinafter referred-to as “protectors”for conciseness) may be disposed over upper portions 49 of the front andback members 20, 30 and may be affixed to at least one of the front andback members 20, 30 and the collar 50 by any suitable way (e.g., bybeing stitched, glued, fused or otherwise fastened). In particular, inthis example, the protectors 60 may be stitched to the collar 50.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 , the protectors 60 may comprise an innerliner 64, an outer cover 66 and a padding 62 disposed between the liner64 and the cover 66. The padding 62 may be configured to absorb anddissipate at least a majority of (i.e., a majority of or an entirety of)impacts on the protectors 60. That is, the padding 62 may be configuredto absorb and dissipate more energy than the other components (such asthe inner liner 64 and the outer cover 66) of the protectors 60. In thiscase, each of the inner liner 64 and the outer cover 64, 66 may comprisefabric. More specifically, in this embodiment, the fabric of the innerliner 64 and the outer cover 66 may be a synthetic fabric such asLYCRA™, polyester, elastane, polyamide, etc., and any combinationthereof. In some embodiments, however, the inner liner 64 and/or theouter cover 66 may be free of fabric and may comprise a differentmaterial such as a sheet of polymeric material.

In this embodiment, the padding 62 of the protectors 60 may compriseshoulder caps 68 for protecting the left and right shoulders LSS, RSS ofthe player. The shoulder caps 68 may comprise left and right shouldercaps configured to substantially overly the left and right shouldersLSS, RSS of the player when the shoulder pads 10 are worn by the player.The shoulder caps 68 may comprise one or more layers of expanded andnon-expanded polymers (e.g., TPU, PE, TPE, etc.). For instance, in someembodiments, the shoulder caps 68 may comprise EXPANCELL™ foam. In someembodiments, the shoulder caps 68 may also comprise a film ofnon-expanded polymeric material such as TPU, PE, TPE, etc., covering thefoam material.

The shoulder caps 68 may be manufactured in any suitable way. In thisembodiment, the shoulder caps 68 may be molded into shape in a mold andthe foam is a molded foam.

As shown in FIGS. 20 to 30 , in this embodiment, the shoulder pads 10may comprise sleeves 70 for receiving the left and right arms of theplayer. The sleeves 70 may comprise left and right sleeves 70 configuredto receive the left and right arms LA, RA of the player when theshoulder pads 10 are worn by the player. In this embodiment, the sleeves70 are long sleeves, i.e., are configured to extend below the elbows LE,RE of the player. For instance, in some embodiments, each sleeve 70 maybe configured to enclose at least a majority, in some embodiments atleast three-quarters, and in some embodiments even more (e.g., at least90% or 100%) of a surface area of a respective one of the arms of thewearer. In some embodiments, each sleeve 70 may be configured to enclosea respective one of the arms of the wearer along at least a majority, insome embodiments at least three-quarters, and in some embodiments evenmore (e.g., at least 90% or 100%) of a length of the respective one ofthe arms of the wearer. More specifically, in this embodiment, thesleeves 70 are “full” or “enclosing” sleeves, i.e., are configured toextend to the wrists LW, RW of the player, to enclose substantially anentirety of the surface area of the respective one of the arms of thewearer, and to enclose the respective one of the arms of the weareralong substantially an entirety of the length of the respective one ofthe arms of the wearer.

In this embodiment, the sleeves 70 may comprise arm protectors 71 forprotecting regions of the left and right arms LA, RA of the player. Thearm protectors 71 may be configured to overly these regions of the leftand right arms LA, RA of the player when the player wears the shoulderpads 10. Each of the arm protectors 71 may be configured to absorb anddissipate at least a majority of (i.e., a majority of or an entirety of)impacts received thereon. That is, when subject to an impact, each armprotector 71 may be configured to absorb and dissipate more energy thanthe other components of the sleeves 70 that are also subject to saidimpact.

In this embodiment, the sleeves 70, including the arm protectors 71, maybe integrated with the remainder of the shoulder pads 10, including thefront member 20, the back member 30, the collar 50, the protectors 60,etc., such that the front member 20, the back member 30, the ribprotectors 40, the collar 50, the protectors 60, and the sleeves 70 aredonnable and doffable all at once. That is, the front member 20, theback member 30, the rib protectors 40, the collar 50, the protectors 60,and the sleeves 70 may be assembled into a unitary article of protectivegear that can be donned and doffed by the player all at once, by passinghis/her head into an opening of the collar 50, e.g., by insertinghis/her arms into the sleeves 70 and positioning the arm protectors 71on his/her arms LA, RA.

In this embodiment, the sleeves 70 may be strapless. That is, thesleeves 70 may be free of any strap that would be required for attachingthe sleeves 70 to a remainder of the shoulder pads 10, to secure theshoulder pads 10 to arms of the player in a tight/comfortable fashion,and/or to secure padding components to the sleeves 70.

For instance, in this embodiment, the sleeves 70 may comprise a base 72.The base 72 may comprise a fabric and may be configured to face and/orcontact the skin of the left and right arms LA, RA of the player whenthe player wears the shoulder pads 10.

The base 72 of the sleeves 70 may connect the sleeves 70 to a remainderof the shoulder pads 10. In particular, the base 72 of the sleeves 72may be connected to the protectors 60 of the shoulder pads 10. Morespecifically, the base 72 of the sleeves 70 may be continuous with theinner liner 64 and the outer cover 66 of the protectors 60. Inparticular, the fabric of the inner liner 64 and the fabric of the outercover 66 may be continuous with the fabric of the base 72 of the sleeves70, e.g., such that the fabric of the inner liner 64 and of the outercover 66 extends beyond the protectors 60 and forms the base 72 of thesleeves 70. As such, in this embodiment, the sleeves 70 may be onlyconnected to the protectors 60 and may be free of a connection to aremainder of the shoulder pads 10.

In this embodiment, the base 72 of the sleeves 70 may support the armprotectors 71.

For instance, the sleeves 70 may comprise pockets to accommodate atleast some of (i.e., some of, a majority of, or an all of) the armprotectors 71. In particular, each pocket may be configured to removablyor permanently receive the arm pads 74 and may be connected to the base72 of the sleeves 70. To facilitate insertion and removal of the armprotectors 74, the pockets may be light, flexible, and elastic. Forexample, some of the pockets may be located in portions configured tosubstantially overly biceps, triceps and/or forearms of the player. Thebase 72 of the sleeves may be affixed or attached to at least some ofthe arm protectors 71, e.g., by stitching, gluing, fusing or otherwisefastening.

In particular, in this embodiment, the arm protectors 71 comprise armpads 74 for protecting upper arms of the player. The arm pads 74 maycomprise left and right arm pads 74 configured to substantially overlythe left and right triceps and/or the left and right biceps of theplayer when the player wears the shoulder pads 10. More specifically,some of the arm pads 74 may be biceps arm pads configured tosubstantially overly the left and right biceps of the player when theplayer wears the shoulder pads 10, and some of the arm pads 74 may betriceps arm pads configured to substantially overly the left and righttriceps of the player when the player wears the shoulder pads 10.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 19 , each arm pad 74 may comprise oneor more layers of expanded and/or non-expanded polymers (e.g., TPU, PE,TPE, etc.). For instance, in this embodiment, the arm pads 74 maycomprise a molded layer 86 of non-expanded polyethylene and two layers87 of foam laminated on each side of the layer 86 of polyethylene.

As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 , the pockets of the sleeves 70 may compriseleft and right bicep pockets 88 configured to receive the biceps armpads. In this embodiment, each bicep pocket 88 may be a floating pocket(also referred-to as “slinky” pocket). The bicep pocket 88 may be openat one end to allow insertion and removal of a respective arm pad 74. Inthis example, the bicep pocket 88 may comprise mesh or fabric formingthe bicep pocket 88, which may be light, flexible and elastic tofacilitate manipulation of the bicep pocket 88. The bicep pocket 88 maybe connected to the base 72 of the sleeve 70 at one end of the pocket88, e.g., by being stitched, glued, fused or otherwise fastened to thebase 72 of the sleeve 70.

During use, respective ones of the arm pads 74 may be inserted in thebicep pockets 88 for protecting the biceps of the player during play.The floating construction of the bicep pockets 88 may allow the user tomove the bicep pockets 88 and the arm pads 74 encased therein when theplayer wears the shoulder pads 10 in order to have a more comfortablefit.

As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 , the pockets of the sleeves 70 may alsocomprise left and right triceps pockets 89 configured to receive thetriceps arm pads. Each triceps pocket 89 may be open at one end to allowinsertion and removal of a respective arm pad 74. In this example, thetriceps pocket 89 may comprise mesh or fabric forming the triceps pocket89, which may be light, flexible and elastic to facilitate manipulationof the triceps pocket 89. The base 72 of the sleeves 70 may also formpart of the triceps pocket 89 such that the triceps pocket 89 may not bea floating pocket in this example. Specifically, in this embodiment, thebase 72 of the sleeves 70 may form a wall of the triceps pocket 89. Themesh or fabric of the triceps pocket 89 may be connected to the base 72of the sleeve 70 across a majority of a periphery of the triceps pocket89, e.g., by being stitched, glued, fused or otherwise fastened to thebase 72 of the sleeve 70.

During use, respective ones of the arm pads 74 may be inserted in thetriceps pockets 89 for protecting the triceps of the player during play.

As shown in FIG. 26 , the arm protectors 71 may further comprise elbowcaps 76 for protecting the left and right elbows LE, RE of the player.The elbow caps 76 may comprise left and right elbow caps configured tosubstantially overly the left and right elbows LE, RE of the player whenthe player wears the shoulder pads 10. The elbow caps 76 may compriseone or more layers of expanded and non-expanded polymers (e.g., TPU, PE,TPE, etc.). The elbow caps 76 may comprise any suitable material. Forinstance, in some embodiments, the elbow caps 76 may comprise a liner102 comprising irradiation cross-linked polyethylene (IXPE) foam, alayer 104 of non-expanded polymeric material (e.g., TPU, PE, TPE, etc.)disposed over the liner 102, and a laminate comprising a first layer 106of IXPE foam and a second layer 108 of PU foam laminated over the layer106. In some embodiments, the elbow caps 76 may also comprise a film ofnon-expanded polymeric material such as TPU, PE, TPE, etc., covering thefoam material.

The elbow caps 76 may be manufactured in any suitable way. In thisembodiment, at least part of the elbow caps 76 may be molded into shapein a mold. For instance, the layer 104 may be injection molded. In someembodiments, every layer of the elbow caps 76 may be placed in a mold toform the elbow caps 76. The elbow caps 76 may be affixed to the base 72of the sleeves by any suitable way (e.g., by being stitched, glued,fused or otherwise fastened).

As shown in FIGS. 27 to 30 , the arm protectors 71 may further compriseforearm protectors 78 for protecting the left and right forearms LFA,LRA of the player. The forearm protectors 78 may comprise left and rightforearm protectors 78 which are configured to substantially overly theleft and right forearms LFA, LRA of the player when the player wears theshoulder pads 10. The forearm protectors 78 may comprise padding inserts80 positionable into forearm pockets 110. The padding inserts 80 of theforearm protectors 78 may comprise one or more layers of expanded andnon-expanded polymers (e.g., TPU, PE, TPE, etc.). For instance, in someembodiments, the padding inserts 80 may comprise a layer 112 comprisingIXPE foam and a layer 114 of non-expanded polymeric material (e.g., TPU,PE, TPE, etc.) disposed over the layer 112. The layers 112, 114 of thepadding inserts 80 may be encased by layers of fabric (e.g., tricot).

In this embodiment, the forearm protectors 78 may be configured to covera majority of a circumference of the player's forearms. Morespecifically, the forearm protectors 78 are configured to cover anentirety of the circumference of the player's forearms.

The pockets of the sleeves 70 may comprise left and right forearmpockets 110 configured to receive the padding inserts 80 of the forearmprotectors 78. Each forearm pocket 110 may be open at one end to allowinsertion and removal of a respective padding inserts 80. In thisexample, the forearm pocket 110 may comprise mesh or fabric forming theforearm pocket 110. In some embodiments, the forearm pockets 110 may besimilar in construction as the triceps pockets 89. In some embodiments,the sleeves 70 may comprise forearm protection covers 82 to cover theinserts 80 once they are in place in their respective pocket, andcomprising one or more layers of expanded and non-expanded polymers(e.g., TPU, PE, TPE, etc.). For instance, in some embodiments, theforearm protection covers 82 may comprise a layer 107 of non-expandedpolymeric material sandwiched between two layers 109 of foam material.The forearm protection cover 82 may be affixed to the base 72 of thesleeve 70 (e.g., by being stitched, glued, fused or otherwise fastened)to form the forearm pocket 110. The forearm protection covers 82 may bemanufactured in any suitable way. In this embodiment, at least part ofthe forearm protection covers 82 may be molded into shape in a mold. Insome embodiments, every layer of the forearm protection covers 82 may beplaced in a mold to form the forearm protection covers 82 and theforearm pocket 110.

The base 72 of the sleeves 70 may also form part of the forearm pocket110 such that the forearm pocket 110 may not be a floating pocket inthis example. Specifically, in this embodiment, the base 72 of thesleeves 70 may form a wall of the forearm pocket 110. The forearmprotection covers 82 may be affixed to the base 72 of the sleeves 70 byany suitable way (e.g., by being stitched, glued, fused or otherwisefastened).

During use, the padding inserts 80 of the forearm protectors 78 may beinserted in the forearm pockets 110 for protecting the left and rightforearms LFA, LRA of the player.

The sleeves 70 may further comprise wrist guards 84 for protecting leftand right wrists LW, RW of the player. The wrist guards 84 may compriseleft and right wrist guards configured to overly left and right wristsLW, RW of the player when the player wears the shoulder pads. The wristguards 84 may be affixed to the base 72 at distal ends 75 of the sleeves70. This may be achieved in any suitable fashion, such as by stitching,gluing, fusing or otherwise fastening the wrist guards 84 may be affixedto the base 72. The wrist guards 84 may be manufactured in any suitableway. For instance, in this embodiment, the wrist guards 84 may compriseone layer of non-expanded polymer (e.g., PU) and one layer of foam. Morespecifically, in this embodiment, the wrist guards 84 may comprise aliner of IXPE foam affixed to a molded layer of polyethylene (PE). Thewrist guards 84 may also comprise a cover of synthetic material.

With additional reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 20, 21 , in this embodiment,the shoulder pads 10 may be configured to provide openings 100 thatleave areas of the player's body uncovered (e.g., for ventilation) whenthe player wears the shoulder pads 10. For instance, the openings 100may comprise left and right openings allowed by the connection betweenthe sleeves 70 and the remainder of the shoulder pads 10 and configuredto leave the player's upper left and right side/armpit areas uncovered.More specifically, in this embodiment, as the sleeves 70 may be onlyconnected to the protectors 60 and may be separate and spaced from thefront member 20, the back member 30 and the rib pads 40, the proximalends 73 of the sleeves 70, the front member and the back member 30 maydefine the left and right openings 100 for uncovering the player's upperleft and right side/armpit areas.

Each opening 100 may have any suitable size which may be sufficient forcooling and/or providing comfort to the player during play. Forinstance, in some embodiments, the opening covers an area of at least300 cm², in some embodiments of at least 350 cm², in some embodiments ofat least 400 cm², and in some embodiments even more.

The shoulder pads 10 may be implemented in various other ways in otherembodiments.

For example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 31 to 32 , the ribprotectors 40 may be removably connectable to the front and back members20, 30 of the shoulder pads 10 such that the player may decide to removethe rib protectors 40 front the shoulder pads 10 and wear the shoulderpads 10 without any rib protector, and/or to change or replace the ribprotectors 40 on the shoulder pads 10, e.g., to change sizing of ribprotectors, to use lighter or bulkier rib protectors depending on theuse, etc.

In this embodiment, the shoulder pads 10 may comprise an attachmentmechanism 120 for connecting the removable rib protectors 40 to the backmember 30. The attachment mechanism 120 may comprise a first set ofconnectors 122 provided on the back member 30 and a second set ofconnectors 124 provided on the main body 41 of the rib protectors 40.The first and second set of connectors 122, 124 may be configured to beremovably attachable to one another. For instance, in some embodiments,the first and second set of connectors 122, 124 may comprisehook-and-loop fasteners.

In some embodiments, the first and second set of connectors 122, 124 mayonly be attachable at pre-determined positions. For instance, in someembodiments, the first set of connectors 122 may comprise buttons 126connectable to respective connectors of the second set of connectors124, and the second set of connectors 124 may comprise slits 128 eachconfigured to receive a respective connector of the first set ofconnectors 122. In other embodiments, the first set of connectors 122may comprise the slits buttons 128 and the second set of connectors 124may comprise the buttons 126.

As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 33 to 36 ,the sleeves 70 may be detachable from the shoulder pads 10, e.g., tofacilitate cleaning them, to allow sleeve replacement and/or to allowthe player to wear the shoulder pads 10 without sleeves. For instance,in some embodiments, the shoulder pads 10 may comprise attachmentmechanisms 130 for connecting each sleeve 70 to the protectors 60. Theattachment mechanism 130 may comprise a first connector 132 provided ona distal portion of the protectors 60 and a second connector 134provided on a proximal portion of the sleeves 70 and configured to bedetachably attachable to the first connector 132. For instance, in someembodiments, the first and second set of connectors 132, 134 maycomprise hook-and-loop fasteners; in some embodiments, the attachmentmechanism 130 may comprise a zipper (also known as “zip”, “fly”, “zipfastener”, or “clasp locker”) and each of the first and second set ofconnectors 132, 134 may comprise a corresponding set of teeth; in someembodiments, the first and second set of connectors 132, 134 maycomprise clips configured to engage one another; in some embodiments,the first connector 132 may comprise a button (similar to the buttons126) connectable to the second connector 134, and the second connector134 may comprise a slit (similar to the slits 138) configured to receivethe first connector 132.

As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 37 , thesleeves 70 may comprise upper portions 142 configured to overly theupper arms of the player when the player wears the shoulder pads 10, andlower portions configured to overly the forearms and wrists of theplayer when the player wears the shoulder pads 10, and the lowerportions 144 may be removable attachable to the upper portions 142 suchthat the player may decide to wear the lower portions 144 when wearingthe shoulder pads 10. More specifically, in this example, the firstconnector of the attachment mechanism 130 may be provided on a distalend of the upper portion 142 of the sleeve 70, and the second connectorof the attachment mechanism 130 may be provided on a proximal portion ofthe bottom portion 144 of the sleeve 70.

As another example, in some embodiments, the sleeves 70 may becompression sleeves configured to compress the left and right arms LA,RA of the player when the player wears the shoulder pads 10, which mayincrease power capabilities of the left and right arms LA, RA of theplayer, increase endurance of the left and right arms LA, RA of theplayer, and/or reduce recovery times for the muscles of the left andright arms LA, RA of the player. The compression sleeves may alsoimprove body tissues (e.g., blood) circulation through compression. Forinstance, in this embodiment, the base 72 of the sleeves 70 may comprisea synthetic fabric, such as nylon, polyester, polyamide, elastane, etc.,or any mix thereof. In some embodiments, the base 72 of the sleeves 70may be configured to provide a compression level of at least 10 mmHg, insome embodiments of at least 20 mmHg, in some embodiments of at least 30mmHg, and in some embodiments even more (e.g., at least 35 mmHg). Insome embodiments, the base 72 of the sleeves 70 may be configured toprovide a compression that decreases from wrist to upper arm tofacilitate body tissues circulation improve blood body tissuescirculation.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 38 , the fabric of the base 72 ofthe sleeves 70 may comprise polymeric yarns 152 and metallic yarns 154such as silver-coated yarns and aluminum-coated yarns to increasethermal conductivity of the sleeves 70, which may advantageously coolthe player's left and right arms LA, RA during play, and/or to provideantibacterial capabilities to the fabric of the base 72 of the sleeves70.

In some embodiments, any feature of any embodiment described herein maybe used in combination with any feature of any other embodimentdescribed herein.

Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation of certainembodiments have not been described or illustrated as they are assumedto be within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art.Moreover, certain embodiments may be free of, may lack and/or mayfunction without any element that is not specifically disclosed herein.

In describing embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to forthe sake of description but this is not intended to be limited to thespecific terms so selected, and it is understood that each specific termcomprises all equivalents.

In case of any discrepancy, inconsistency, or other difference betweenterms used herein and terms used in any document incorporated byreference herein, meanings of the terms used herein are to prevail andbe used.

Although various embodiments have been illustrated, this was purposes ofdescribing, but should not be limiting. Various modifications willbecome apparent to those ordinarily skilled.

1. An article of protective gear for protecting an upper body of awearer against impacts, the article of protective gear comprising: afront member configured to protect a front side of a thorax of thewearer; a back member configured to protect a back side of the thorax ofthe wearer; shoulder protectors configured to protect shoulders of thewearer; sleeves connected to the shoulder protectors, configured toreceive arms of the wearer, and comprising a plurality of arm protectorsconfigured to protect the arms of the wearer; and openings configured toleave at least part of a left side of the thorax of the wearer and atleast part of a right side of the thorax of the wearer uncovered by thearticle of protective gear.
 2. The article of protective gear of claim1, wherein the front member, the back member, the shoulder protectorsand the sleeves are donnable and doffable all at once.
 3. The article ofprotective gear of claim 1, wherein the sleeves are separate and spacedfrom the front member and the back member.
 4. The article of protectivegear of claim 1, wherein the openings are configured to leave armpitregions of the wearer uncovered by the article of protective gear. 5.The article of protective gear of claim 1, wherein each opening coversan area of at least 300 cm².
 6. The article of protective gear of claim1, wherein: the at least part of the left side of the thorax of thewearer comprises an upper region of the left side of the thorax of thewearer; the at least part of the rights side of the thorax of the wearercomprises an upper region of the right side of the thorax of the wearer;the article of protective gear comprises lower rib protectors configuredto cover a lower region of the left side of the thorax of the wearer anda lower region of the right side of the thorax of the wearer; and theopenings extends between the front member, the back member, the sleeves,and the lower rib protectors.
 7. The article of protective gear of claim1, wherein the front member comprises a front panel configured to coverat least part of the front side of the thorax of the wearer, and a frontshield disposed over the front panel to cover a sternum region of thethorax of the wearer.
 8. The article of protective gear of claim 7,wherein the front panel comprises a fabric liner and a foam bodycovering at least part of the fabric liner. 9.-11. (canceled)
 12. Thearticle of protective gear of claim 7, wherein the front shield ismolded into shape. 13.-22. (canceled)
 23. The article of protective gearof claim 1, wherein: the front member comprises a front panel forcovering the front side of the thorax of the wearer, and a front shielddisposed over the front panel to cover a sternum region of the thorax ofthe wearer; and the back member comprises a back panel to cover the backside of the thorax of the wearer, and a back shield disposed over theback panel to cover a thoracic spinal region of the thorax of thewearer.
 24. The article of protective gear of claim 23, wherein thefront panel and the back panel are continuous and integral with oneanother.
 25. (canceled)
 26. The article of protective gear of claim 1,wherein the article comprises a collar configured to protect a sternalangle region of the wearer, the collar being affixed to the front memberand to the back member.
 27. The article of protective gear of claim 26,wherein the collar comprises a foam core and a fabric liner.
 28. Thearticle of protective gear of claim 27, wherein the collar is affixed tothe front member, to the back member and to the shoulder protectors ofthe article. 29.-36. (canceled)
 37. The article of protective gear ofclaim 1, wherein the sleeves are integrated with at least one of thefront member, the back member and the shoulder protectors.
 38. Thearticle of protective gear of claim 37, wherein: the shoulder protectorscomprise an inner liner comprising a fabric, an outer cover comprising afabric, and a padding disposed between the liner and the cover; and thefabric of the inner liner and the fabric of the outer cover extendbeyond the shoulder protectors and form a base of the sleeves.
 39. Thearticle of protective gear of claim 1, wherein each sleeve is configuredto enclose at least a majority of a surface area of a respective one ofthe arms of the wearer.
 40. (canceled)
 41. The article of protectivegear of claim 1, wherein each sleeve is configured to enclose arespective one of the arms of the wearer along at least a majority of alength of the respective one of the arms of the wearer. 42.-45.(canceled)
 46. The article of protective gear of claim 1, wherein thesleeves are strapless.
 47. The article of protective gear of claim 1,wherein the sleeves comprise a base which supports the arm protectors.48. The article of protective gear of claim 47, wherein the base definesat least one pocket to accommodate at least one of the arm protectors.49. (canceled)
 50. (canceled)
 51. The article of protective gear ofclaim 47, wherein the arm protectors comprise elbow caps for protectingelbows of the wearer.
 52. (canceled)
 53. The article of protective gearof claim 51, wherein the elbow caps are affixed to the base of thesleeves. 54.-57. (canceled)
 58. The article of protective gear of claim47, wherein the arm protectors comprise forearm protectors forprotecting left and right forearms of the wearer. 59.-62. (canceled) 63.The article of protective gear of claim 47, wherein the sleeves comprisewrist guards for protecting left and right wrists of the wearer.
 64. Thearticle of protective gear of claim 62, wherein the wrist guards areaffixed to the base at distal ends of the sleeves. 65-79. (canceled) 80.An article of protective gear for protecting an upper body of a weareragainst impacts, the article of protective gear comprising: a frontmember configured to protect a front side of a thorax of the wearer; aback member configured to protect a back side of the thorax of thewearer; shoulder protectors configured to protect shoulders of thewearer; sleeves connected to the shoulder protectors, configured toreceive arms of the wearer, and comprising a plurality of arm protectorsconfigured to protect the arms of the wearer; and openings configured toleave left and right armpit regions of the wearer uncovered by thearticle of protective gear.
 81. An article of protective gear forprotecting an upper body of a wearer against impacts, the article ofprotective gear comprising: a front member configured to protect a frontside of a thorax of the wearer; a back member configured to protect aback side of the thorax of the wearer; shoulder protectors configured toprotect shoulders of the wearer; sleeves connected to the shoulderprotectors, configured to receive arms of the wearer, comprising aplurality of arm protectors configured to protect the arms of thewearer, the sleeves comprising a base for supporting the arm protectors,the arm protectors comprising elbow caps configured to protect left andright elbows of the wearer, the elbow caps being affixed to the base ofthe sleeves.